Plant Guide
Climbing Hydrangea
Hydrangea anomala 'var. petiolaris'
Height: 40 feet
Spread: 24 inches
Sunlight:
Hardiness Zone: 5a
Description:
One of the most sought-after climbers, this vine makes an excellent flowering cover for vertical structures and trees, and can also be used as a groundcover; attractive white lacecap-like flowers in mid summer and clean foliage; a self-clinging vine
Ornamental Features
Climbing Hydrangea is smothered in stunning fragrant white lacecap flowers along the branches from early to mid summer. It has forest green deciduous foliage. The glossy heart-shaped leaves do not develop any appreciable fall color. The peeling brown bark adds an interesting dimension to the landscape.
Landscape Attributes
Climbing Hydrangea is a multi-stemmed deciduous woody vine with a twining and trailing habit of growth. Its relatively coarse texture can be used to stand it apart from other landscape plants with finer foliage.
This woody vine will require occasional maintenance and upkeep, and is best pruned in late winter once the threat of extreme cold has passed. It has no significant negative characteristics.
Climbing Hydrangea is recommended for the following landscape applications;
- Hedges/Screening
- General Garden Use
Planting & Growing
Climbing Hydrangea will grow to be about 40 feet tall at maturity, with a spread of 24 inches. As a climbing vine, it tends to be leggy near the base and should be underplanted with low-growing facer plants. It should be planted near a fence, trellis or other landscape structure where it can be trained to grow upwards on it, or allowed to trail off a retaining wall or slope. It grows at a slow rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for 70 years or more.
This woody vine performs well in both full sun and full shade. It prefers to grow in average to moist conditions, and shouldn't be allowed to dry out. It is not particular as to soil type or pH. It is highly tolerant of urban pollution and will even thrive in inner city environments. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone in winter to protect it in exposed locations or colder microclimates. This is a selected variety of a species not originally from North America.
